http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/tanks/german-Ow02_2.jpg
The Germans used motorcycles extensively for liaison and reconnaissance purposes. BMW, NSU, DKW, and Zundapp produced motorcycles for the German Army. The BMW R/75 746cc 26hp motorcycle is perhaps the best known type, however. All tank divisions had motorcycle infantry units. Two or three motorcycle companies and a HQ company formed a motorcycle battalion. An average infantry division on the Eastern Front in the early stage of the war used 452 motorcycles including those with a sidecar, made up as follows: 17 (HQ co.), 45 (recon unit), 32 (signal battalion), 141 (infantry regiment), 40 (artillery regiment), 45 (anti-tank gun battalion), 44 (engineer battalion), and 88 (supply unit). The average infantry division in 1943 to 1944 came to use an increasing number of Kubelwagens and Kettenkrads which had excellent durability and various uses in place of motorcycles. Thus, the number of motorcycles was reduced to 168. The German Army originally grouped motorcycles into 3 classes: small class under 350cc, middle class 350cc-500cc, and large class over 500cc. Most early models of German military motorcycles proved unreliable after the invasion of Russia and only the BMW R/75 was rugged enough to do the job. It's reliability was such that after the war the Russian Army used faithful copies of the BMW R/75 called the K-M72 (possibly M72-K or just M72).

On the contrary the Motorbike and sidecar combination is remarkably effective on the battlefield. The Russians stole the designs and still make copies of the BMW R75 Horizontally opposed Boxer engined Motorbikes.

Off road they are two wheel drive, but having a solid rear axle this cannot be used on solid road surfaces. It has a reverse gear which not many motorbikes of the size have but is necesary due to the side car. With a reverse gear the bike can tow other bikes or trailers even guns from the mud. (Im not sure I think some had a crawler box) The Unit could carry three armed soldiers remarkably fast and offer significant firepower in an easily and quickly deplyable form.

Even recently the US have been using motorbike and sidecar combinations and The Egyptian Military are still involved in research and design of newer units. some carrying mortars anti tank weapons and HMG in plce of the sidecar

I presume the idea was abandoned due to the expense of providing machines for every three men. But I think other members, maybe Walther would know more.

http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/sidecar-ural.htm - Written from memory so might be wrong in places, link could be of more use of you want to chekc up on it. Personally I think they are great and wouldnt mind owning one!

Sturmtruppen

07-18-2005, 06:47 PM

you impresionated me bluff,GOOD JOB :wink:

deutchesafrikar12

08-06-2005, 09:39 AM

Erwin,
The first motorcycle sidecar combo pic you posted is a R12. I am curious to learn where you came across that photograph.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/tanks/german-Ow02_2.jpg

Hanz Lutz

08-06-2005, 10:03 AM

Motorcycle good thing :lol: :lol:

1000ydstare

08-06-2005, 10:23 AM

It would be interesting to know the actual input of that tracked bikes steering wheel. I can't see it being easy to turn!!!

Unless there was more to the steering system than is visable.

http://www.marcthompsonscrapbook.co.uk/hypnosis/images/hypnosis2.jpg

1000 yard stare

Sturmtruppen

08-06-2005, 09:26 PM

Erwin,
The first motorcycle sidecar combo pic you posted is a R12. I am curious to learn where you came across that photograph.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/tanks/german-Ow02_2.jpg
Wilkommen mein freund! :D (i don't know more words in german :lol: )
i took it from: http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-weapons/enemy_ww2-2.htm
that is in the top of the post mate.

i recommend you to search on yahoo/google images: ww2 motorcycles...etc,and then see the adress of the pic,sometimes is better than searching only web :wink: .

danke :)

Hanz Lutz

08-07-2005, 04:24 AM

Nice avatar erwin you are now Duce's soldier :lol: :lol: back on topic :wink:

Commando Jordovski

08-07-2005, 05:28 AM

Germany and their bikes, heh, the Germans really got their moneys worth out of them, they were the second country to create them.
A gentleman by the name of Edward Butler built the first motorcycle in Erith in the year 1884! - thats a year before the "first" motor car built by the Now Famous Mr Carl Benz of Germany

If Edward Butler never invented the motorbike do you think anyone else would eventually come up with the same idea as he had or something different with a motor attached ?
If Edward butler didn't invent the motorbike we could be using some other kind of motor transport. :? 8) 8)

Edward Butlers machine used a water cooled internal combustion engine, and a float type carburettor - many many years ahead of its time

Does anybody have any more information about Mr Butler? where was his workshop? where did he live in Erith - do any relatives survive?

By the way Dani, I'd like to tell you that you posted some nice photos mate !! :wink:

Hanz Lutz

08-10-2005, 02:25 PM

EDWARD BUTLER, an efficient and successful agriculturist of Dubuque County, is as fine a representative of that class or Irishmen who have become thoroughly Americanized and are in full sympathy with the institutions of this country as can be found in eastern Iowa. He is the owner of a valuable farm in Dubuque Township, but having retired from active labor, his sons now have charge of the home place and superintend its cultivation. Without means when he began his life work, his present property has been gained through persevering and well-directed efforts.

The parents of our subject, James and Bridget (Gleeson) Butler, were natives of County Kilkenny, Ireland, where the mother died. In 1850 the father came to America and died at Shullsburg, Wis. aged sixty-three years. Edward, who is the only survivor of five children, was born in County Kilkenny in 1826, and in childhood had very few advantages, his time being devoted to agricultural pursuits. Arriving at man's estate, he resolved to seek a home across the ocean, and accordingly sailed from Liverpool in 1847, arriving in New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. From that city he took a river steamer up the Mississippi as far as St. Louis, where he stopped for three weeks.

From St. Louis Mr. Butler proceeded to Dubuque, and in this county he hired out in the harvest field by the day and month. It was about that time that the country was thrown into the greatest excitement by the discovery of gold in California, and thousands were seeking the El Dorado of the New World. He was one of the numbers who in 1851 went overland to the pacific coast. The trip consumed several months, and was one long to be remembered for its hardships and suffering. After having spent eighteen months in California, Mr. Butler returned via the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans to Dubuque.

Shortly after his return from the west our subject bought an eighty-acre tract in Center Township, Dubuque County, which he sold one year later. He then rented a farm near his present home, and still later bought the valuable property on which he now lives. As before stated, he has practically retired from farm work and his land is tilled by his energetic and industrious sons. He is independent in politics, inasmuch as he always votes for the man whom he deems best qualified to represent the people.

Previous to going to California Mr. Butler was united in marriage, July 2, 1850, with Miss Elizabeth Fisher, a native of Dubuque County, and daughter of John and Susan Fisher. There have been born unto them ten children, of whom seven are living, as follows: Edward, Jr., William, Mary, Henry, George, Dennis and Aggie. George and
Mary is married, and the former has three children and the latter eight.

FOR YOU CJ , :wink: http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadubuqu/biographies/ebutler.html

Sturmtruppen

08-10-2005, 05:43 PM

Nice avatar erwin you are now Duce's soldier :lol: :lol: back on topic :wink: